Submission guidelines done!!

Yep, got it revised, updated, down pat etc etc, so check it out and plan on submitting by May 1st... Mo

Guidelines

I noticed that the guideline for submissions is very restrictive on word count; I'd like to rethink my limits, but right now it is late and I am pooped, so I'll get back to you on this, yes?

EQUINOX Submission Guideline

DEADLINE for the 2009 edition of EQUINOX is MAY 1st

Electronic submissions ONLY are required this year. Send as an attached .doc file; please, do not send zip or mime files If you do not own a PC computer, you should be able to use one at the library with which you can transcribe and send your submission. USE TIMES NEW ROMAN font. DO NOT use any special formatting beyond the essentials of paragraph indent, italic where called for. DO NOT double space (I can add that at my end as needed).

Be sure to include your full name, address, e-mail and phone number, only once at the beginning of your document. Always save a copy for your records in case it is lost in transmission. Most, but not all edits, will be subject to author’s approval.

Send your submissions to thebooksmyth@aol.com

GENRES

You may submit from one, some, or all of the following genres. Submission limits per genre are

Poems, lyrics: Three to five poems or lyrics with music notation (keep in mind that very long lines of poetry are very difficult to arrange on the page, also very long, epic poems are equally difficult to layout—this does not mean they will be dismissed out of hand, but be thoughtful of the editorial challenges involved)

Short stories, Fiction: 2-3 short (250-1000 words) fictions, and/or

Non-fiction: 2-3 concise (500-1000 words double-spaced) non-fictions. and/or

Art/photos: 3-5 paintings, line art, photography. Images must be jpeg, 300 resolution and suitable for 5x7 or less sizing.

THEMES

The Equinox is eclectic thematically. Its goal is to offer a forum for the many voices of our region, even at the risk of “cacophony.” Besides odes to the spiritual aspects of life, the journal is also interested in political commentary, history, humor, satire, and explorations (but not rants) of controversial topics, such as the uses and abuses of human powers, social absurdities, psychological ironies, philosophic conundrums and so forth—the spectrum of upbeat to hard-hitting observations of the human condition. Acceptance depends totally on the subjective, arbitrary decision of the editor, who is a sucker for a thoughtful message crafted into life with well-chosen words and imagery. Simple charm or complex angst — and all points between — equally considered. Previously published work OK, but the author is responsible for obtaining written permissions. Unpublished writers are very welcome. Contributors’ rewards are fame and one free copy.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

OK here I am . . . I have navigated four months of non-stop publishing with a modicum of success and so far have avoided the asylum, tho I was tempted mid-October to check myself in to someplace far away and quiet. In this short span I put out the Equinox, which featured 70 poets, writers and artists this year, and released it promptly on the actual equinox, Sept 21, at a boisterously fun, standing room only release and reading party at Mocha Maya's coffeehouse-- a great deal of fun for all who attended. A really happy day and good memory. I followed that with two really fine chapbooks. On Sept 23 I released Lea Banks' All of Me and then on Nov 6 I released To a Careless Sailor by Cyn J Horton. These beautiful, exceptional chapbooks, which feature fresh, compelling voices, are available in limited, handcrafted editions; you can find ordering info at my web site, www.thebooksmyth.com.

In addition, I designed and set up for print-on-demand two paperback books, both of them memoirs by local ladies with literary flair who have enjoyed long, rich lives; it was a pleasure to work with them.

The highpoint of my year so far, tho, is not literary but political. Much to our good fortune, a fine young man of considerable gravitas ran for, and won, the presidency this year. He's the best to run for this office in a great long while, it was icing on the cake that he was also a man to break historic barriers.

COMING -- NEW SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Guidelines for submission to Equinox will be updated and available soon. The deadline for 2009 submissions will be MAY 1st, 2009

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

It has been so long since I attended to this blog, I have forgotten how it works. Thus, how this turns out is anyone's guess. Suffice to say I have been busier than all get out since June when I began laying out the 2008 Equinox, then proofing it, printing it, folding it, collating it, getting it off to the binder, then designing and printing the cover, and now I am wrapping it in preparation for distributing it to the many fine contributors - about 70 of them this time - many of whom gave time and energy to the above mentioned labors of proofing and folding. It has been a long, arduous trek, but it will be ready for release at reading, signing, and exulting book release party on Sept 21 from 2-5 at Mocha Mayas in Shelburne Falls. Two days after than, on Sept 23, Booksmyth Press (ie me) will release its first chapbook, All of Me by Lea Banks (it is her first chapbook too) We will celebrate with a book release, book signing, book reading party also at Mocha Mayas starting at 7pm. Booksmyth Press will release a second chapbook on Nov 5, about which more later. That is all for now, and more than enough

Merry month of May is here, have you sent your submissions, my dear?

Finally found a crab apple tree, after much searching. There are some who would suggest that it should be my signature tree. It is the first week of May and I am expecting a flood of submissions and enough work for the next three months to make even Mother Teresa crabby. If you've not sent in a submission by now, then you have only another week to get on the ball. Besides planting a Crab and rummaging through the garden to whip it into shape for summer, I have been laying out two chap books: one by Lea Banks: Spontaneous Belief in Sad Things and the other by Cyn Horton: To a Careless Sailor. Both are scheduled for release, and much partying, this Fall, after the big party scheduled for Sept 21 to celebrate the timely release of the Equinox. Party to be held from 3-5 at Mocha Maya's in Shelburne Falls. The cover and title page art are being laid out now, the interior art and writings will be laid out over the course of June and printing begins in July. This will be a beautiful issue -- hope you will be a part of it; and I really hope you help get the word out so we can look forward to some sales this year, enough to cover costs! that would be wow. Meanwhile, I need some writing time of my own so be off with you, I'm busy . . .
BUT BE SURE TO ATTEND: NEXT OPEN MIC FOR SPOKEN WORD -- SUN, MAY 18, 3-5 at Food Bank Farm, Bay Road, HADLEY